Landscaping machine, landscaping machine cover, and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a landscaping machine that includes a protective rollover bar having a left bar portion extending from a left side of an operator seat, a top bar portion extending from the left bar portion above the operator seat, and a right bar portion extending from the top bar portion to a right side of the operator seat. The landscaping machine further includes an elongated rotatable member affixed to the protective rollover bar, the elongated rotatable member extending from the left bar portion to the right bar portion. The landscaping machine further includes a covering system attached to the elongated rotatable member configured to be rolled and unrolled with rotation of the elongated rotatable member. Further disclosed is a landscaping machine cover attachable to a landscaping machine, and a method of use thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/537,858, filed Jun. 29, 2012, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent with thepresent disclosure.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to landscapingmachines. More particularly, the subject matter relates to a landscapemachine having a cover, a cover for landscaping machines, and a methodof use thereof.

BACKGROUND

Landscaping machines such as lawnmowers, tractors, bulldozers, loadersand the like are often kept outside over periods of time when not inuse. For example, commercial landscaping companies may choose to storetheir machines on-sight when contracting to upkeep the landscape forlarge commercial properties. Landscaping machine dealers also leavelandscaping machines outside on display prior to sale. Leaving alandscaping machine outside for an extended period of time subjects thelandscaping machines to damaging elements such as sun, wind, rain, snowand hail. Over time, outside storage of landscaping machines lead tosignificant structural and cosmetic damage.

Thus, an improved solar array support structure, mounting rail, andmethod of installation thereof, would be well received in the art.

SUMMARY

According to a first described aspect, a landscaping machine covercomprises: an elongated rotatable member extendable between a protectiverollover bar of a landscaping machine, the protective rollover barincluding a left bar portion, a top bar portion and a right bar portion,the elongated rotatable member extending between the left bar portionand the right bar portion; and a covering system attached to theelongated rotatable member configured to be rolled and unrolled withrotation of the elongated rotatable member, wherein the covering systemincludes a front covering portion and a rear covering portion, whereinthe front covering portion is configured to extend in a first directionin an unrolled state, and wherein the rear covering portion isconfigured to extend in a second direction opposite the first directionin the unrolled state, wherein the front covering portion and the rearcovering portion are rolled and unrolled simultaneously.

According to a second described aspect, a landscaping machine comprises:a protective rollover bar having a left bar portion extending from aleft side of an operator seat, a top bar portion extending from the leftbar portion above the operator seat, and a right bar portion extendingfrom the top bar portion to a right side of the operator seat; anelongated rotatable member extending and attached between the protectiverollover bar at a location between a front end of the landscapingmachine and a rear end of the landscaping machine, the elongatedrotatable member extending and attached between the left bar portion ofthe protective rollover bar and the right bar portion of the protectiverollover bar; and a covering system attached to the elongated rotatablemember configured to be rolled and unrolled with rotation of theelongated rotatable member, wherein the covering system includes a frontcovering portion and a rear covering portion, wherein the front coveringportion is configured to extend to the front end of the landscapingmachine in an unrolled state, and wherein the rear covering portion isconfigured to extend to the rear end of the landscaping machine in theunrolled state, wherein the front covering portion and the rear coveringportion are rolled and unrolled simultaneously.

According to a third described aspect, a landscaping machine covercomprises: an elongated rotatable member extendable between a protectiverollover bar of a landscaping machine, the protective rollover barincluding a left bar portion, a top bar portion and a right bar portion,the elongated rotatable member extending between the left bar portionand the right bar portion; and a covering system attached to theelongated rotatable member configured to be rolled and unrolled withrotation of the elongated rotatable member, wherein the covering systemincludes a front covering portion and a rear covering portion, whereinthe front covering portion is configured to extend in a first directionin an unrolled state, and wherein the rear covering portion isconfigured to extend in a second direction opposite the first directionin the unrolled state, wherein the front covering portion and the rearcovering portion are rolled and unrolled simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter disclosed herein is distinctly claimed in the claimsat the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other featuresand advantages are apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a landscaping machine in useaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the landscaping machine of FIG. 1with a user unrolling a cover according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the landscaping machine of FIGS.1-2 with the user unrolling farther the cover according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the landscaping machine after beingfully covered according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a tractor in use according to oneembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of thedisclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way ofexemplification and not limitation with reference to the FIGS.

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a landscaping machine10 is shown. The landscaping machine 10 is shown to be a commercialriding lawnmower machine. The landscaping machine 10 includes a frontend 12, a rear end 14, a left side 16 and a right side 18. Thelandscaping machine 10 includes an operator seat 20 and a protectiveroll bar 22. The protective roll bar 22 includes a left bar portion 24extending from the left side 16 of the landscaping machine 10immediately behind the left side of the operator seat 20. The protectiveroll bar 22 includes a top bar portion 26 extending from the left barportion 24 above the operator seat 20 to a right bar portion 28. Theright bar potion 28 extends from the top bar potion 26 to the right side18 of the landscaping machine 10 immediately behind the right side ofthe operator seat 20. The protective rollover bar 22 may be configuredto protect an operator sitting in operator seat 20 in the event that thelandscaping machine 10 tips or rolls over.

The landscaping machine 10 further includes an elongated rotatablemember 30 affixed to the protective rollover bar 22. The elongatedrotatable member 30 extends from the left bar portion 24 of theprotective rollover bar 22 to the right bar portion 28 of the protectiverollover bar 22. The elongated rotatable member 30 may be made from arigid material such as plastic or metal. The elongated rotatable member30 may be rotated by an attached turnable handle 32. The turnable handle32 may be attached outside the protective rollover bar 22 such that itsrotation is not interfered with by the operator seat 20 or theprotective rollover bar 22. The turnable handle 32 may cause directrotation of the elongated rotatable member 30 such that one full 360degree rotation of the turnable handle 32 results in a full 360 degreerotation in the elongated rotatable member 30. Gearing mechanisms may beintroduced (not shown) within the structure of the elongated rotatablemember 30 to provide for different rotational speeds between theelongated rotatable member 30 and the turnable handle 32 if desired.

A covering system 34 may be attached to the elongated rotatable member30. The covering system 34 may be configured to be rolled and unrolledwith the rotation of the elongated rotatable member 30 that is enactedby the turnable handle 32. The covering system 34 may include a frontcovering portion 36 and a rear covering portion 38. The front coveringportion 36 may be configured to cover a front 40 of the landscapingmachine 10 when the front covering portion 36 is in an unrolled state,as shown in FIGS. 2-4. The rear covering portion 38 may be configured tocover a rear 42 of the landscaping machine 10 when the rear coveringportion is in an unrolled state, as shown in FIGS. 2-4.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an operator 44 that is in the process of covering thelandscaping machine 10. In one embodiment, the operator 44 may rotatethe turnable handle 32 in order to completely unroll the covering system34. Then, once unrolled, the operator 44 may then drape the coveringsystem 34 over the landscaping machine 10, as shown in FIG. 4. In otherembodiments, the operator 44 may pull either the front covering portion36 or rear covering portion 38 such that the pulling exacts rotation onthe elongated rotatable member 30 to unroll the covering system 34. Insome embodiments, the covering system 34 may be sufficiently rigid thatit extends itself as it is unrolled by the operator 44. Alternately, thecovering system 34 may be elastic enough that it needs to be pulled fromthe elongated rotatable member 30.

It should be understood that the front covering portion 36 and the rearcovering portion 38 may be rolled and unrolled simultaneously by theoperator 44. Thus, each of the front covering portion 36 and the rearcovering portion 38 may be attached by one edge along the elongatedrotatable member 30. An edge of the front covering portion 36 may beattached on a first side of the elongated rotatable member 30 and anedge of the rear covering portion 38 may be attached to a second sidethat is opposite the first side of the rotatable member 30.

The front covering portion 36 may further include a left unfoldable flap46 and a right unfoldable flap (not shown). These unfoldable flaps 46,48 may help to cover the left and right sides 16, 18, respectively ofthe front 40 of the landscape machine 10. It should be understood thatthe right unfoldable flap (not shown) may have the same or very similardimensions to the left unfoldable flap 46. The flaps 46, 48 may then befolded back into a main body 50 of the front covering portion 36 priorto being rolled back into the elongated rotatable member 30. While theflaps 46, 48 are shown to be relatively flat additional sections of thefront covering portion 36, it should be understood that the flaps 46, 48may be particularly dimensioned to closely fit around the intendedlandscaping vehicle to be covered. As such, the dimensions shown are notlimiting.

Similar to the front covering portion 36, the back covering portion 38may also include a left unfoldable flap 50 and a right unfoldable flap(not shown). These unfoldable flaps 50 may help to cover the left andright sides 16, 18, respectively of the rear 42 of the landscape machine10. Like the flaps 46, the flaps 50 may then be folded back into a mainbody 50 of the rear covering portion 38 prior to being rolled back intothe elongated rotatable member 30. The flaps 50 may also be particularlydimensioned to fit the intended landscaping vehicle to be covered, asshown in FIG. 4. The covering portions 36, 38 may have particularcutouts, concaves, or the like to accommodate protruding portions of thelandscaping machine 10. The entire covering system 34 including thefront covering portion 36 and the rear covering portion 38 may bedimensioned to tightly fit around the dimensions of the particularlandscaping machine that the covering system 34 is intended to cover.

The covering system 34 and the elongated rotatable member 30 may beprotected by a protective housing (not shown) in some embodiments. Thishousing may be configured to be stationary as the elongated rotatablemember 30 is rotated from within. A portion of the front coveringportion 36 and the rear covering portion 38 may protrude from within theprotective housing even when the covering system 34 is completely rolledup. This may allow an operator to pull the covering portions 36, 38 outof the protective housing in order to unroll the covering system 34. Theprotective housing may be removable and attachable to the elongatedrotatable member 30 such that an operator can remove the housing ifnecessary to reveal the elongated rotatable member 30. In otherembodiments, the protective housing may be an integral component of thecovering system 34.

While the covering system 34 is shown attached at a particular heightbetween the protective rollover bar 22, it should be understood thatthis is simply an exemplary embodiment. The covering system 34 may beattached to the protective rollover bar 22 either higher or lower on theprotective rollover bar. In one embodiment, the covering system 34 maybe attached at the top of the protective rollover bar 22. In anotherembodiment, the covering system 34 may be attached just above the top ofthe operator seat 20 such that it can be pulled directly over thisportion of the machine 10 in use. In still other embodiments, thecovering system 34 may be attached to a completely different portion ofthe machine 10. For example, in other landscaping machines 10 that arerollover risks and do not include a protective rollover bar, thecovering system 34 may be attached at another appropriate location. Forexample, a support (not shown) may be created to attach to the existingstructure of a landscaping machine where the support is configured tohold the covering system 34. The support and covering system 34 may be,for example, attached to a midpoint of the landscaping machine in orderto take advantage of the covering system extending in both the forwardand rearward directions.

The covering system 34 may be made of both woven and non-wovenmaterials. These materials may prevent sunlight, wind, and rain fromtouching the inside of the landscaping machine 10. For example, in onembodiment, a plastic material may be used. In other embodiments, thecover may be made of a woven polyester vinyl material. In otherembodiment, the covering system 34 may include multiple layers to ensureprotection. These layers may be fixed together in order to provide for asingle cover portion that is rollable and unrollable by the elongatedrotatable member 30. The covering system 34 may also be used as anadvertisement of the manufacturer of the landscaping machine 10.Alternately, the covering portion 34 may advertise a landscaping companythat owns the landscaping machine 10.

The covering system 34 may actually attach to the landscaping machine 10at one or more locations after it has been unrolled. This may preventthe covering system 34 from moving or uncovering portions of thelandscaping machine 10 and undesirably exposing the landscaping machine10 to the elements. Furthermore, the front covering portion 36 of thecovering system 34 may be attached to the rear covering portion 38 toprevent any moisture from penetrating through the covering system 34between any open spaces that may develop between the front coveringportion 36 and the rear covering portion 38.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a tractor 100 is shown being driven by anoperator 144. The tractor 100 is shown employing a covering system 134attached between a protective rollover bar 122 having a left bar portion124, a top bar portion 126 and a right bar portion 126, similar to theprotective rollover bar 22 described hereinabove. The covering system134 may be similar to any of the embodiments described hereinabove forimplementation on the lawnmower landscaping machine 10. This embodimentis meant to show that the present invention may be applied to anyoutdoor machine such as a tractor, loader vehicle, skid steer, bulldozeror the like. Moreover, in other embodiments, the landscaping machine 10may also be an automobile, truck, or motorcycle in other embodiments.The tractor 100 is shown having a turnable handle 132 for turning anelongated rotatable member 130, similar to the embodiment describedhereinabove. The covering system 134 may include a front coveringportion and a rear covering portion (not shown) and respective flaps(not shown), similar to the embodiment described hereinabove. Like thecovering system 34 described hereinabove, the covering system 134 may beconfigured to fully cover the entire tractor 100 when the tractor is notin use. Furthermore, the covering system 134 may be configured toparticularly conform to the dimensions of the tractor 100.

Furthermore, in another embodiment, a method of covering a landscapingmachine, such as the landscaping machines 10, 100 is contemplated. Themethod may include attaching an elongated rotatable member, such as theelongated rotatable members 30, 130, to a protective rollover bar, suchas the protective rollover bars 22, 122. The elongated rotatable memberhas an attached covering system, such as the covering system 34, 134described hereinabove. The covering system includes a front coveringportion and a rear covering portion, such as the front and rear coveringportions 36, 38. The method may further include rotating the elongatedrotatable member. The method may then include unrolling the coveringsystem such that the front covering portion extends to a front end ofthe landscaping machine and the rear covering portion extends to a rearend of the landscaping machine simultaneously. The method may theninclude rolling up the covering system from an unrolled state such thatthe front covering system and the rear covering system tightly surroundthe elongated rotatable member. The method may further include attachingat least one of the front covering portion and the rear covering portionto the landscaping machine. The method may further include overlappingand attaching an edge of the front covering portion with an edge of therear covering portion.

Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either thearticles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there areone or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” andtheir derivatives are intended to be inclusive such that there may beadditional elements other than the elements listed. The conjunction “or”when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any termor combination of terms. The terms “first” and “second” are used todistinguish elements and are not used to denote a particular order.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with onlya limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention mayinclude only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, butis only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A landscaping machine comprising: a protective rollover barhaving a left bar portion extending from a left side of an operatorseat, a top bar portion extending from the left bar portion above theoperator seat, and a right bar portion extending from the top barportion to a right side of the operator seat; an elongated rotatablemember extending and attached between the left bar portion and the rightbar portion; and a covering system attached to the elongated rotatablemember configured to be rolled and unrolled with rotation of theelongated rotatable member; wherein the covering system includes a frontcovering portion and a rear covering portion, wherein the front coveringportion is configured to cover a front of the landscaping machine in anunrolled state, and wherein the rear covering portion is configured tocover a rear of the landscaping machine in the unrolled state.
 2. Thelandscaping machine of claim 1, wherein the front covering portion andthe rear covering portion are rolled and unrolled simultaneously.
 3. Thelandscaping machine of claim 1, further comprising a turnable handleattached to the elongated rotatable member for rotating the elongatedrotatable member, wherein the turnable handle is attached outside theprotective rollover bar.
 4. The landscaping machine of claim 1, whereinthe landscaping machine is at least one of a lawnmower and a tractor. 5.The landscaping machine of claim 1, wherein the front covering portionincludes a left foldable flap and a right foldable flap.
 6. Thelandscaping machine of claim 5, wherein the back covering portionincludes a left foldable flap and a right foldable flap.
 7. Thelandscaping machine of claim 1, wherein the front covering portion andthe back covering portion are dimensioned to tightly fit around thedimensions of the landscaping machine.
 8. The landscaping machine ofclaim 1, wherein the elongated rotatable member is attached directly tothe left bar portion and the right bar portion.
 9. A landscaping machinecomprising: a protective rollover bar having a left bar portionextending from a left side of an operator seat, a top bar portionextending from the left bar portion above the operator seat, and a rightbar portion extending from the top bar portion to a right side of theoperator seat; an elongated rotatable member extending and attachedbetween the protective rollover bar at a location between a front end ofthe landscaping machine and a rear end of the landscaping machine, theelongated rotatable member extending and attached between the left barportion of the protective rollover bar and the right bar portion of theprotective rollover bar; and a covering system attached to the elongatedrotatable member configured to be rolled and unrolled with rotation ofthe elongated rotatable member, wherein the covering system includes afront covering portion and a rear covering portion, wherein the frontcovering portion is configured to extend to the front end of thelandscaping machine in an unrolled state, and wherein the rear coveringportion is configured to extend to the rear end of the landscapingmachine in the unrolled state, wherein the front covering portion andthe rear covering portion are rolled and unrolled simultaneously. 10.The landscaping machine of claim 9, further comprising a turnable handleattached to the elongated rotatable member for rotating the elongatedrotatable member.
 11. The landscaping machine of claim 9, furthercomprising a turnable handle attached to the elongated rotatable memberfor rotating the elongated rotatable member, wherein the turnable handleis attached outside the protective rollover bar.
 12. The landscapingmachine of claim 9, wherein the landscaping machine is at least one of alawnmower and a tractor.
 13. The landscaping machine of claim 9, whereinthe front covering portion includes a left foldable flap and a rightfoldable flap.
 14. The landscaping machine of claim 13, wherein the rearcovering portion includes a left foldable flap and a right foldableflap.
 15. The landscaping machine of claim 9, wherein the front coveringportion and the back covering portion are dimensioned to tightly fitaround the dimensions of the landscaping machine.
 16. The landscapingmachine of claim 9, wherein the elongated rotatable member is attacheddirectly to the left bar portion and the right bar portion.
 17. Alandscaping machine cover comprising: an elongated rotatable memberextendable between a protective rollover bar of a landscaping machine,the protective rollover bar including a left bar portion, a top barportion and a right bar portion, the elongated rotatable memberextending between the left bar portion and the right bar portion; and acovering system attached to the elongated rotatable member configured tobe rolled and unrolled with rotation of the elongated rotatable member,wherein the covering system includes a front covering portion and a rearcovering portion, wherein the front covering portion is configured toextend in a first direction in an unrolled state, and wherein the rearcovering portion is configured to extend in a second direction oppositethe first direction in the unrolled state, wherein the front coveringportion and the rear covering portion are rolled and unrolledsimultaneously.
 18. The landscaping machine cover of claim 17, furthercomprising a turnable handle attachable to the elongated rotatablemember for rotating the elongated rotatable member rolling and unrollingthe covering system.
 19. The landscaping machine of claim 17, whereinthe elongated rotatable member is attached directly to the left barportion and the right bar portion.